Beginning with a shore visit at the classic launching point, Bartlett Cove, National Geographic Venture spent today exploring the epic scenery of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The epic fjord system was carved by a rapidly advancing glacier in the traditional home of the Hoona Tlingit people. When the first European explorers reached the area, the glacier was at its maximum, extending all the way into Icy Strait. Two hundred years later, the ice has retreated over sixty miles and left in its place an immense body of water, home to a massive diversity and abundance of animal and plant life.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Jul 2023
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 7/24/2023, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Alaska
James Hyde, Undersea Specialist
Pacific Northwest born James Hyde grew up immersed in the Salish Sea, on Vashon Island with Seattle as his backdrop. A passionate traveler from a young age, James explored four continents before finishing his degree at Western Washington University's...
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Alaska's Inside Passage
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National Geographic Venture
Peril Strait and Sitka
Our last day of the voyage found National Geographic Venture cruising through Peril Strait toward the city of Sitka. This long and narrow passage lies between Baranof Island and Chichagof Island. Along the way we found a new place to land and go hiking on an island called Mennons, which none of the staff had landed on before! It’s always exciting to explore new areas to do various lengths and degrees of hikes! In the afternoon, we navigated through the narrowest portion of the Peril called Sergius Narrows, which we can only go through at slack tide because of very extreme currents at the tidal changes. Finally, as the ship approached Sitka, we were treated to an encounter with a small group of gray whales, which had recently been feeding in the area. What a finale!
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National Geographic Venture
George Island and Inian Islands, Southeast Alaska
Today aboard National Geographic Venture , we explored the northern entrance to the Inside Passage. Our day began with a visit to George Island where we hiked to an old World War II-era gun emplacement. Later, we enjoyed a Zodiac cruise around the Inian Islands. The powerful tidal currents in this area create ideal feeding grounds for marine mammals, and we were fortunate to get excellent views of sea otters.